Anderson’s 35 aces all in vain

After being placed on the back foot by big-serving South African Kevin Anderson yesterday, SAborn British player Kyle Edmund (above) admitted he had to work hard to get on top of the No 11 seed in the opening round of the Australian Open.

Edmund, 23, who was born in Joburg before emigrating with his parents, was left trailing after a brief rain delay in the third set, but he hit back to beat Anderson 6-7(4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“Against Kevin, you know you’re not going to get many opportunities,” Edmund said.

“You really have to be ready when they do come, so it was good that I broke him in the fourth set.”

With Anderson firing 35 aces over the net, Edmund was relieved to hold off his thunderous serve and gain control of the match.

“It’s very difficult to read it, so when you get a racquet on the ball, it has to go in the court,” he said.

Anderson had been expected to coast through the early stages, after showing good form by reaching the final of the Maharashtra Open in Pune earlier this month.

It was the third year in a row that he failed to reach the second round at Melbourne Park. After progressing to round four every season between 2013 and 2015, he retired hurt with a knee injury in his first-round match in 2016, and he withdrew ahead of last year’s tournament with a hip injury.

SA hopes now rest on doubles specialist Raven Klaasen, the only other South African listed in the main draw.

Klaasen, who reached the Australian Open final with American Eric Butorac in 2014, was set to pair up with new partner Michael Venus of New Zealand against American Scott Lipsky and Spaniard David Marrero in the opening round later in the week.